Election 2014 | Few candidates on ballot so far in some key races

Published: Friday, February 21, 2014 at 05:40 PM.

Some of the most influential leadership positions that impact Cleveland County have seen little competition during the first stages of filing for 2014 elections.

For several county, state and federal positions, incumbents currently face no opposition, as of Friday reports from the Cleveland County and North Carolina boards of elections. For several other positions, incumbents themselves haven’t filed for office, according to the report.

Congressman Patrick McHenry has yet to file for his U.S. House of Representatives seat, for which only challenger Tate MacQueen has entered the race. Four people, including former Shelby Mayor Ted Alexander, have filed for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Democrat Kay Hagan. But Hagan herself has yet to file.

Several names have been rumored to file for Cleveland County sheriff, but thus far only incumbent Alan Norman has put his name on the ballot.

With current District 27B Attorney Rick Shaffer not seeking re-election, only assistant district attorney Michael Miller has filed for the position.

In the county commissioners race, incumbents Eddie Holbrook and Jason Falls face opposition only from former commissioner and NAACP leader Willie McIntosh, as of Friday.

Elections reports on two state legislative races also show incumbents face no opposition, including Sen. Warren Daniel, who represents Cleveland and Burke counties in District 46, and Rep. Kelly Hastings, who represents parts of Cleveland and Gaston counties in District 110. Rep. Tim Moore, a Cleveland County legislator, is challenged by 20-year-old Nick Carpenter, of Shelby.

Candidate filing is set to end at noon Friday, Feb. 28.

Reach Matthew Tessnear at 704-669-3331, at mtessnear@shelbystar.com or on Twitter @MatthewTessnear.

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Some of the most influential leadership positions that impact Cleveland County have seen little competition during the first stages of filing for 2014 elections.

For several county, state and federal positions, incumbents currently face no opposition, as of Friday reports from the Cleveland County and North Carolina boards of elections. For several other positions, incumbents themselves haven’t filed for office, according to the report.

Congressman Patrick McHenry has yet to file for his U.S. House of Representatives seat, for which only challenger Tate MacQueen has entered the race. Four people, including former Shelby Mayor Ted Alexander, have filed for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Democrat Kay Hagan. But Hagan herself has yet to file.

Several names have been rumored to file for Cleveland County sheriff, but thus far only incumbent Alan Norman has put his name on the ballot.

With current District 27B Attorney Rick Shaffer not seeking re-election, only assistant district attorney Michael Miller has filed for the position.

In the county commissioners race, incumbents Eddie Holbrook and Jason Falls face opposition only from former commissioner and NAACP leader Willie McIntosh, as of Friday.

Elections reports on two state legislative races also show incumbents face no opposition, including Sen. Warren Daniel, who represents Cleveland and Burke counties in District 46, and Rep. Kelly Hastings, who represents parts of Cleveland and Gaston counties in District 110. Rep. Tim Moore, a Cleveland County legislator, is challenged by 20-year-old Nick Carpenter, of Shelby.

Candidate filing is set to end at noon Friday, Feb. 28.

Reach Matthew Tessnear at 704-669-3331, at mtessnear@shelbystar.com or on Twitter @MatthewTessnear.